After being expelled from his academy, wealthy youngster Chris Winters (John Payne) lives it up with his socialite girlfriend, Helene Hunt (Nancy Kelly). But soon his military hero father forces Chris to enlist in the marines. There Chris must overcome his reputation as a spoiled brat to earn the respect of iron-willed Sgt. Dixie Smith (Randolph Scott). Meanwhile, the new recruit struggles to impress Mary Carter (Maureen O'Hara), a beautiful nurse who outranks him.